Irving L. Jensen describes Leviticus as "God's manual
for His people on how to approach Him and live pleasing in His sight." The laws of
Leviticus were guideposts which the Israelites needed for life on the wilderness journey
and for the settling in Canaan.

The dichotomy, God's holiness and man's sinfulness, is the basic problem
confronting all people. The good news in Leviticus is that atonement and cleansing for sin
can reconcile people to God.

Occasion:

Leviticus was written while the Israelites were encamped on
Mount Sinai (Lev. 7:38; 27:34). God spoke the words of Leviticus during the first month of
the second year after the Exodus. Moses probably wrote them down before the wilderness
journey recorded in Numbers.

Author:

Leviticus contains fifty-six references that explicitly
state that the Lord gave the laws to His people through Moses.

Outline of Leviticus

I. Approaching a Holy God

A. Laws About Sacrifices (1:1-7:38)

1. Five types

Burnt: Symbolizing voluntary devotion of their very
being and possessions to God, through complete consumption of sacrifice. (1:1-17)

Grain: Thanking God and offering their lives for His
service. (2)

Peace: Participating in the blessings of fellowship
with God. (3)

Sin: Being forgiven of unintentional sin. (4:1-5:13)

Guilt: Being forgiven for the sins they committed.
This offering required a sacrifice and restitution. (Lev. 5:16).

2. Pattern of ritual

a. Appropriate animal selected

b. Laying on of hands (identification)

c. Expiation (symbolism of blood)

d. Dedication of animal

1) In burnt offering the entire animal was consumed by
fire, symbolizing dedication to God.

2) Part of the cereal offering was burned (a part that
memorialized the worshiper before God) and the rest was given to the priests (Lev. 2:9-10)

B. Laws about the Consecration of Priests (8-l0)

1. Priests served as mediators

a. In offering sacrifice, the priest represented the
worshiper before God.

b. In teaching, the priest represented God before the
people (Lev. 10:11).

2. Aaron and his four sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleasar and
Ithamar were the first priests.

3. Along with chapter 21 and 22 these chapters are devoted
to the consecration and holy disciplines of their ministry.

II. Living in the Presence of a Holy God

A. Laws about "clean" and "unclean"
things (11-15)

1. Food(11)

2. Childbirth (12)

3. Leprosy and Skin Diseases (13-14)

4. Discharges and Secretions (15)

B. Laws about Holiness (l6-25)

1. The Day of Atonement (16)

a. The most important day of Israel's calendar.

b. The idea of atonement for sin reached its highest
expression.

c. Sin and burnt offerings were a part of the ritual.

d. The only day that the high priest could enter into the
most holy place of the tabernacle.

e. A day of fasting.

f. A day that reminded of the grace of God in forgiving
sin.

2. Taboo On Eating and Drinking Blood

3. Laws about Sexuality (18)

4. Civil and Ceremonial Laws (19)

5. Various Laws and Punishments (20)

6. Laws for Priests (21-22)

7. Feasts and calendar (23-25)

a. These were days when the Israelites meditated on who God
was and what He had done for them.

b. The sacred calendar

(1) Sabbath -- a weekly reminder of the Lord's rest
at the end of creation. A joyful day of worship and strict observance of rest from work.

(2) Passover -- commemorated the final plague on
Egypt when the firstborn of the Egyptians died and the Israelites were spared because of
the blood smeared on their doorposts.

(3) Feast of Weeks, also called Pentecost --50 days
after Passover the grain harvest was celebrated.

(4) Day of Atonement -- a day of mourning over sins
and sacrifice. The high priest entered the Holy of Holies only on this day to atone for
the people's sins.

(5) Feast of Tabernacles -- a feast of ingathering
five days after the Day of Atonement. The people built booths as a reminder of God's
provision during the Exodus.

(6) Feast of Trumpets -- New Year celebration in
October.

(7) Sabbath Year -- rest for the land from
cultivation.

(8) Year of Jubilee -- year of liberty every 49
years. Rest for the soil, reversion of landed property, and redemption of slaves.

III. Covenant Blessing and Curses (26)

IV. Appendix Laws about Vows and Gifts (27)

ASSIGNMENT

Read the biblical account of the Israelites experiencing
the Wilderness Wanderings as a result of unbelief (Numbers 12:16-14:12).

How did the tabernacle courtyard and ritual emphasize human sinfulness and
God's holiness?

How can laws be restrictive or negative in form (you shall
not...) but positive in purpose or intent?

Does this limited provision for forgiveness (only for
sinning unwittingly) indicate that the sacrificial system was never totally effective in
removing sin? (Note Hebrews 10:10) Why was it important that the person who offered the
sacrifice confess his sin (note Lev. 5:5)?

What does the emphasis on the Sabbath, Sabbath Year and
Year of Jubilee suggest about the importance of scheduled rest and worship? What would be
the advantages of having a "Year of Jubilee? Why would it be hard to implement? Does
western civilization have a balanced perspective toward the value of renewal and spiritual
rest? Do you think it would be valuable for you to spend one day per month in quiet
reflection or prayer?

Teacher's Notes:

Leviticus introduces us to many kinds of laws: general or specific;
ceremonial, social, or moral; temporal or timeless; punitive or reparative. All the laws
of Leviticus were designed by God for His glory and for the good of His people. God's law
reveals the corruption of mankind and convicts of sin.

Credits
and Copyright This online text book is provided by the Division of Student Ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas,
333 N. Washington Dallas, Texas 75246-1798 214.828.5100
Use the text to meet your academic needs.
If you copy any part of this online text, please give credit to the Division of Student
Ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
Any donations which you give will be used in the Division of Student Ministry Summer
Missions Programs.

Credits
and Copyright This online text book is provided by the Division of Student Ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas,
333 N. Washington Dallas, Texas 75246-1798 214.828.5100
Use the text to meet your academic needs.
If you copy any part of this online text, please give credit to the Division of Student
Ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
Any donations which you give will be used in the Division of Student Ministry Summer
Missions Programs.